Disabled service users’ cafe opens in Balby

Pop-up coffee shop, The Platform, on Woodfield Road in Balby has been created entirely by service users, with learning disabilities

Published:13:07Thursday 26 April 2018

Share this article

Locals in Balby can enjoy a cuppa at a friendly cafe thanks to the hard work of disabled service users.

A brand new coffee shop has opened thanks to the hard work of residents and staff at Exemplar Health Care’s Quarryfields care home for people with learning disabilities.

Pop-up coffee shop, The Platform, on Woodfield Road, has been created entirely by its service users. The team not only work in the café, but also created all aspects of The Platform including uniform, interior and recipes. The coffee shop boasts homemade sweet treats, snacks and hot drinks – the Platform staff even had professional barista training from the Denaby Coffee Lounge.

As well as a warm and friendly place to enjoy a hot drink, The Platform provides a safe and professional environment for service users with learning disabilities develop their skills and socialise in the local community.

Paralympian, actor and Doncaster local Kevin Davies was onsite to cut the ribbon and declare The Platform open and he said: “I visited The Platform a few weeks ago to meet service users, see the developments and understand what the initiative is all about. It is a fantastic idea and something I feel is needed throughout the country – I’m just happy it is starting here.

He congratulated everyone involved and added: “Now I’ve seen the completion of the pop-up shop it looks amazing and I can’t wait to get in there and have the first drink! I’ll be keeping up to date with the success of The Platform and have discussed the venture with many friends of mine in the showbiz industry, who are all behind it too.”

Keep up to date with The Platform by visiting their www.theplatformquarryfields.com website.

Trending

Step back into time at Brodsworth Hall to see how aristocracy lived

TV date for ‘flashy’ Doncaster millionaire couple

Cutting edge device for cancer support group in Doncaster

Going to see The X-Factor Live at Sheffield Arena? Here's EVERYTHING you need to know